This company, located in El Salvador, and shipping through Spring Texas has been offering '30 day pre-order' units on eBait for several months now. My question is, has anyone bought and received one these? The savings is usually about 100 USD...Good idea, or not...

Just saw your post. I wondered the same thing my self, but I won a Hottop B model off ebay from them for a little more than $100 below listing price. There is the 30 day shipping, and they are located in el salvador, so I was skeptical also. But I went for it, and supposedly my package will be shipped out mid june, so we'll see. I will try and post an update later in the month. But I would be curious to hear of anyone else's experience.

I bid and won a Cafe Gene from Blue Bell Mountain Coffee in November of 2009.There was a problem with US inventory of the Gene Cafe's during the holidays (read thisas Thanksgiving and Christmas). I guess he had them dropped-shipped from his distributor when someone had won a bid. In my case, his distributor did not have any inventory, and did not receive new inventory for almost 2.5 months. BBM offered me my money back when it became apparentthey would not be able to fulfill my winning bid within 30 days of the winning auction. Since there was a US shortage, and my winning bid was the lowest price I could find, I decided to wait for new inventory to arrive.

BBM sent me 10# of their green beans as a Thank You for my patience. They communicated with me often, and finally delivered on both the Gene and green beans after a2.5 month wait. The US inventory was not their problem, and they continued to offer auctions for Gene Cafe'swith new wording stating they be responsible to winning auction only if inventory became available within 30 days of the winning bid. I thought they acted fair and responsible with me. I would buy from them again.I would just verify with them beforehand about their current supply of Gene's.

A couple of years ago, I talked back and forth a little bit with the owner of BBM and he was really nice. I like him a lot, and though I have not done business with them, I would. Don't know if that helps, but I personally like sellers that treat folks as people instead of just dollar signs.

"Three of the four elements are variable, but the fourth one has to be adaptable, knowledgeable and intuitive." Mark Prince Click Here (www.coffeegeek.com)

Received my Hottop roaster from blue bell last week. Arrived new, and in amount of time promised. Good communication with seller throughout, and unit works great. Really pleased, no worries with that company.

Gene is now the best deal I can find for green coffee on the internet. I waited about 3 months for this seasons first batch and have ordered repeatedly since then and never had an issue. He communicates well and is very reputable. You just need to know when the crop is in and can be shipped.

I was high bidder, on eBay, for a new Gene roaster from Blue Bell back in March. Communicated with the owner, who always answered my questions quickly. As I now piece it together, from what he's said, he ships the roasters in the containers full of coffee beans going to his American distributor (in Texas, I think?) So shipping depends on harvest, when enough beans have accumulated to fill a container, etc. (These are my suppositions.) In his most recent communication, Blue Bell tells me my roaster will be shipping on April 25. This is about 38 days after the close of auction--it could have been more, or less, depending on where the close of auction fell relative to the container ship date.

The savings on the roaster were definitely worth whatever wait there will have been (assuming the roaster shows up :>)! ), and in the mean time I'm learning a lot from using my Air Crazy Pop Corn popper. I've gotten some dismal, and some excellent, roasts with the Popper, with the balance shifting slowly toward the latter as time has passed.

Will keep you posted, and let you know when the roaster arrives. Savings should be on the order of 40%. I feel like I'll be better able to get better results from the Gene because of the time spent with the Popper, and may never give the Popper up completely. (Currently use it with a glass chimney, constant agitation, and about 100 gr of beans at a time, aiming to end somewhere just, or well, depending on the bean, before second crack).

So, swimjay, has it arrived yet? Based on the posts here I bought a 40lb bag (one of their penny auctions back in May). Estimated arrival sometime in July. And a roaster, estimated sometime in August. I'm still going to keep my eye out for a roaster, if I can find the same or better deal I'll take advantage of it and then sell the one they're shipping when it arrives.

Atalanta--no roaster yet, though according to Blue Bell the container should be clearing customs any day now, with the roaster shipping soon after. Have been told container was set to reach US May 22, should be clear of customs on or before June 10th, then shipped to me. So, approaching 3 months from initial purchase date, but your interval may be shorter, as current harvests are being shipped now (I think). Will post when I know more.

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